Bead rolling machine



Nov. 26, 1940.

W. A. BRUBAKER BEAD RbLLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 10, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 [MIN INVENTOR. WI' 2'] {a m H. JEN/infer:

ATTQRNEYJ,

. Nov. 26, 1940. w. A. BRUBAKER BEAD ROLLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 10, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 3: 7 him i i INVENTOR. W17 I! am fl. Blu /bake):

ATTORNEYJ Nov. 26, 1940. w. A. BRUBAKER 2,222,590

BEAD ROLLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 10, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 F1310. P13; 5. 2 Fig.9.

ll l" ,5; INVENTOR 6 V M'Yfibkv flfir alaien ATTORNEYJ Nov. 26, 1940.

w. A. BRUBAKER 2,222,590

BEAD ROLLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 10, 1938 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Y b ATTORNEYS.

a I as 5 4 4; 1 I [i112] wi. 48 I h Patented Nov. 26, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BEAD ROLLING MACHINE Application September 10, 1938, Serial No. 229,349

9 Claims.

This invention relates to the art of making thin dipped rubber goods .and is particularly concerned with apparatus for rolling beads at the open ends of thin dipped, unvulcanized, rubber articles on forms.

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification,

Figure 1 is a top plan'view of one form of apparatus embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation'of the apparatus of Fig. 1, certain parts being shown in section.

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2 with certain parts broken away.

Fig. 4 is :an enlarged, fragmentary view, partly in section, taken on line 4--4 of Fig. 3, certain parts being broken away;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing a modified form of apparatus embodying the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 4, but taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a view in side elevation, taken on line 1-! of Fig. 6, of means for connecting and propelling the master and form boards of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a View similar to Fig. 6 for showing a modified form of the form rotating device of Fig. 6; and

Figs. 9 and 10 are side elevational views partly in section of a form and form holder embodying certain features of the present invention and adapted for use with a machine of a type different from that shown in the foregoing views.

One form of bead rolling apparatus embodying the present invention is disclosed in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4. This apparatus consists of a suitable table-like structure which may conveniently be composed of angle iron legs I, braces 2, top members 3, guide members 4 and brace members 5 for the end projections of the guide members.

A bracket 6 supports motor 1 which, thru belt 8, serves to rotate shaft 9 journalled in both the legs I at one end of the machine. The shaft 9 has keyed thereto two bevel gears H] on the outer sides of legs I. These gears mesh with the bevel gears Illa on the lower ends of upwardly and convergingly inclined. shafts II which carry bevel gears l2 at their upper ends. Brush sup"- porting brackets l3 and i311, mounted on each top member 3 rotatably support elongated, substantially cylindrical, parallel brushes M which are inclined upwardly at a small angle to the horizontal in the direction of travel of forms, later to be described herein. A bevel gear l5 attached at the upper end of each brush shaft meshes with the adjacent bevel gear l2. Each bracket l3a has a portion [3b which serves as a bearing for the upper end of shaft 9, the lower ends of whichshafts are supported for rotation in brackets l6.

The guide members 4 may conveniently consist of metal plates attached to the inner sides of legs I and extending at either end of the machine sufliciently far beyond the legs to afford a support for a form' board presently to be described. These guide members are substantially parallel and are spaced far enough apart to permit passage of the form board therebetween. Each guide member carries near its upper edge an angle member I l (Fig. 4) on which the'form board may rest, and preferably a plurality of rollers 18 to prevent any material upward movement of the form boards from the angles l'l. Also, each guide member 4 carries a stationary rack l9 supported thereon by any suitable means such'as angles 20.

Shaft 9 above'referred to has keyed thereto, between legs l; means for driving an endless conveyor, as shown in these figures. This means is in the form of two sprocket wheels 2| integral. with a hub 22 which is keyedto shaft 9. A shaft 23, suitably mounted in the other pair of legs I has keyed to -it between those legs an idler for an endless conveyor, the idler shown being like the sprockets 2| and hub 22 already described. Extending crosswise of the machine and between and parallel to shafts 9 and 23, is a plurality of (in this instance two) idler shafts 24 supported for rotation in brackets 25 depending from guide members 4. On each shaft 24 are mounted two sprockets 24a keyed thereto in alignment with sprockets 2|.

An endless conveyor consisting, :as shown in these figures, of two chain link belts 26, is provided with transversely extending carriers 21. These carriers are attached to the two chain link belts in any suitable manner, as for example, by angles 28. Each carrier 21 is provided with an upwardly projecting propelling lug 29, preferably located between the chains, and at either-end is adapted to support form rotating means.

Each end of the carriers 21 outside of each chain, as shown, is enlarged and bored out to receive a rotatable bearing 30 which carries a pinion 3i engageable with the adjacent rack l9 and is connected to the pinion to rotate therewith. The bearing is likewise connected, preferably by a key 32, to a spindle 33. The spindle 33 is provided with a removable collar 34 at one end and an enlarged head 35 with an upstanding lug 36 thereon. A spring 3! surrounding spindle 33 between head 35 and the bearing 30 or pinion 3|, serves to urge the spindle axially in the bearing 38 toward and into engagement of lug 36 with a form presently to be described, while collar 34 serves to limit the movement thus produced by spring 31.

The form carrying board 38 is preferably of a width which will be accommodated between and rest on angles ll, of a thickness such that when it rests in angle I! it will be able to move thereon without much, if any, pressure being applied to the board by rollers l8; and is of a sufficient length to accommodate a plurality of forms in each of two parallel rows. The form board 38 is provided at its opposite ends with means, here shown in the form of depending studs 39, to engage with lugs 29 on the conveyor for propulsion of the form boards lengthwise of the brushes and from end to end of the machine.

Each form board 38 is provided with a plurality of form holders each of which is secured to the board by any suitable means such as rivets 49.

Each form holder consists of an annulus 4i and opposite legs 42 connecting the annulus to the board. The annulus is interiorly provided with a bearing surface to afford a bearing for a form therein and each annulus is aligned with an opening in the board 38 which affords a second bearing surface for a form. Each form carried by board 38 preferably consists of a glass portion 43 shaped to correspond to the article which is to be made and a plug or base member 44. The lower end of this plug is shaped with a recess 45 to receive the lug 36 on spindle 33 and the outer sur face near said end is shaped, as at 46 to seat, and have a bearing, in the hole in the board 38.

4-0 The plug also has a reduced diameter, as at 41, to

have a bearing in annulus 4|. The glass 44 may be of greater diameter than the diameter of bearing 4'! which bears in annulus 4|.

The operation of the above described apparatus 45 is substantially as follows: When electric current is supplied to the motor 1, the motor drives belt 8 and thereby rotates shaft 9 and sprockets 2|. The sprockets drive the endless conveyor 26. The shaft 9 also rotates the brushes l4 thru shafts H and bevel gears l9, Illa, l2 and I5. A form board 38 carrying previously dipped forms is placed on the right hand extension and is pushed toward the left hand end of the machine far enough for the depending stud 39 at the leading end of the board to be engaged by an upstanding lug 29 on the conveyor. The moving conveyor propels the form board toward the left hand end of the machine on angles I! beneath rollers l8, and when the form board has been advanced far enough the depending stud 39 on the trailing end of the board 38 is engaged by an upstanding lug 39 on the conveyor. In this manner the board 38 is moved in a straight line from the entering end of the machine to the projecting table at the discharge end of the machine and well beyond the brushes I4. As the board 38 is thus advanced, the successive spindles 33 come into alignment and engagement with the forms thereabove on the board and then the pinions 3| associated with such engaged spindles mesh with the racks l9. As the form board is propelled forwardly, the pinions are rotated by the racks and in turn rotate the spindles 33. If the lugs 36 on the spindles are not initially seated in the recesses 46 in the plugs 45, the first rotary movement of the spindles will, under the urging of springs 31, seat those lugs in their recesses. Thereafter, the forms will be rotated and will rotate thruout the time they engage with the brushes. Since the sides of the brushes in contact with the forms are moving upwardly and since the brushes are inclined upwardly from the end where the forms first engage them to the end where the forms leave them, the uncured rubber material on the forms will be progressively rolled upon itself around the forms and also lengthwise of the forms. It will be understood that before the forms are passed thru the bead roller they are first dipped in a liquid rubber material from the closed or upper end of the form, as shown in these drawings, to a point approximating that at which the lower end of the brushes first engage the forms. The forms are positioned vertically by the annulus 4| and the bearing holes in the form board and are freely rotatable in both the annulus and board.

In Figures and 6 a modified form of apparatus embodying the present invention is shown. In these figures the table of Figs. 1, 2 and 3 has been lengthened considerably at the entering end and a shaft 23a, corresponding to shaft 23 of those figures, has been located at the extreme right hand end of the table. The guide members 4a are like members 4 of Figs. 1 to 4 but are as long as the table. The rollers !8 are like those of Figs. 1 to 4, but are supported by brackets 41a, which unlike angles 11, have no horizontally extending portion. Racks I9a and carrying means such as angles 20a correspond to those of Figs. 1 to 4. Additionally, the guide members 4a carry angles 48 to support a master board, presently to be described. The motor 1, belt 8, shaft 9, brushes l4 and the gears connecting the shaft 9 and brushes I4, are substantially like those shown in Figs. 1 to 4. Instead of double sprockets 2|, the modification in Figs. 5 and 6 employs single sprockets 49 mounted on shafts 9 and 23a. The conveyor is a single link belt chain 58, extends around sprockets 49 and runs on idlers 5!.

The single conveyor 58 is provided with upstanding lugs 52 spaced farther apart than the length of the form board, for example board 38 previously described.

In the modification shown in Figs. 5 and 6', the carriers 2'! of Figs. 1 to 4 have been replaced by a master board 53 which carries at either end thereof upstanding pins 54 to seat in corresponding holes in the form board 38 to serve as means by which the master board may propel the form board forwardly in the machine. The master boards 53 are substantially as long as the form boards and rest and slide on angles 48. The master board carries form rotating mechanism substantially like that already described but with the following modification: The spindle 33a of Fig. 6 differs from the spindle 33 above described in that it has a pin 55 projecting from the head 35 to extend into an axial recess in plug 44 of the form.

It will be understood that the pin 55 may be dispensed with when pins 54 are used or pins 54 may be dispensed with when pins 55 are used, since the function of both sets of pins is primarily to transmit propelling force from the master board to the form board. The operation of the machines shown in Figs. 5 and 6 here is substantially like that described in connection with Figs. 1 to 4 but differs therefrom in certain respects. The conveyor 50 has been lengthened on the receiving end of the machine so that a form board may be assembled with the master board and the assembled boards placed as a unit on the table. The boards may be separated at the discharge end of themachine and the form board may be removed for the performance of further operation on the articles on the forms while the master board may be returned to the entering end of the machine for assembly with another form board.

In Fig. 8 there is fragmentarily shown a modified arrangement of the form rotating parts of Figs. 5 and 6. In Fig. 8 the bearing 30 has been reversed and the pinion 3| has been positioned below the board 53 instead of'on top of it. The rack I 911 has been moved down into alignment with the pinion.

In Figs. 9 and 10 are shown form holding devices constituting modifications of the form holders-of Figs. 1 to 8. In Fig. 9 the form holder consists of two spaced annuli 56, each having an inner bearing surface to engage bearing surfaces on the plug part of a form and these annuli are connected together by a bar 51 which has a, threaded terminal 58 in substantially axial alignment with the form for attachment to a supporting member (not shown). In Fig. 10 the annuli 56 and bar 51 are like those shown in Fig. 9, but, are welded together and instead of the threaded terminal, the bar is provided with an ear 59 having a hole therethru to receive a pivot pin by which it may be connected to a supporting member 60. The plugs of the forms of Figs. 9 and 10 are substantially like those shown in Figs. 1 to 8 but do not require the axial hole in the plugs. The plugs of Figs. 1 to 4 may be provided with the axial openings shown in Figs. 6 and 8 but such openings are not required where no pins, like 55, are provided on the spindle to seat in them.

It will be observed that in the various modifications herein illustrated the form holders are cut away between the axial annular bearings of the form plug. This construction of the holders exposes parts of the plugs between the annuli which parts may engage means serving to rotate the forms in the holders, such for example, as a stationary frictional strip 6! of Fig. 9.

The foregoing invention has been described in some detail hereinabove so that those skilled in the art may be able to understand the principle thereof and to practice the invention, it being understood that variations of and changes in the apparatus herein specifically shown and described and not embodying invention may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined in what is claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a bead rolling apparatus, in combination, opposed, elongated, upwardly inclined rotary brushes, a form board, forms vertically and rotatably mounted on said board in parallel rows and having exposed lower ends, said forms being movable between said brushes with each brush engaging a row of forms, an endless belt, means thereon to propel said form board, and means for rotating forms on said board, each form rotating means including an arm secured to said belt and carrying a rotatable pinion, and a spindle rotated by and slidable axially in said pinion, said spindle being engageable with the lower exposed end of a form to rotate it.

2. In bead rolling apparatus, in combination, opposed elongated, upwardly inclined rotary brushes, a form board, forms vertically and rotatably mounted on said board in parallel rows and having exposed lower ends, said forms being movable between said brushes with each brush engaging a row of forms, an endless belt to engage with and to propel said form board, and rotatable means attached to said belt as a permanent part thereof for engaging said exposed ends of forms on said board and rotating the forms.

3. In bead rolling apparatus, in combination, an elongated, inclined, movable bead forming member, a form board, formsrotatably mounted on said board in a row and having the ends thereof exposed adjacent to the board, said forms being movable lengthwise of and in engagement with said bead forming member, an endless belt to engage with and to propel said form board, and rotatable means attached to said belt as a permanent part thereof for engaging exposed ends of said forms on said board and rotating the 3 forms.

4. In a bead rolling apparatus, in combination, opposed, elongated, upwardly inclined rotary brushes, a form board, forms vertically and rotatably mounted on said board in parallel rows and having exposed lower ends, said forms being movable between said brushes with each brush engaging a row of forms, an endless belt,

means thereon to propel said form board, and

means on said belt for rotating forms on said board, each of said form rotating means including a member attached to the belt and carrying a pinion, a spindle rotated by said pinion and slidable axially thereof, said spindle being engageable with the lower exposed end of a form to rotate it and spring means about the spindle to urge it toward a form.

5. Apparatus for rolling beads on thin dipped rubber articles including a table, an elongated, inclined, bead forming member thereon, a rotatable form having an exposed end and an axial hole extending thereinto from said end, means to rotate said form while engaging said bead forming member, said form rotating means including a rotatable pinion, a spindle connected thereto for rotation therewith and having rotatable driving engagement with the exposed end of a form, and means to move said form lengthwise of and in engagement with said bead forming member including a pin projecting from said spindle into said axial hole.

6. Apparatus for rolling beads on thin dipped rubber articles including a table, elongated, parallel, upwardly inclined, rotary brushes thereon, a form board movable lengthwise of said brushes, a plurality of forms vertically and rotatably mounted on said board in parallel rows with their lower ends exposed, each form having an axial hole extending upwardly thereinto from said exposed end, the rows of forms being engageable with said brushes when moved therebetween, form rotating means below the form board, each form rotating means including a rotatable pinion, a spindle connected thereto for rotation therewith and slidable axially of said pinion, said spindle having rotatable driving engagement with the exposed end of a form, a master board to carry said form rotating means, means to propel said master board, and means connecting said master board and form board to propel the latter forwardly with the former, said connecting means including pins on said spindles extending into said axial holes in said forms.

7. Bead rolling apparatus comprising in combination a non-rotating member to carry a form, a form rotatably attached thereto, said form having a recessed end surface and an axial hole opening thru said surface, an elongated movable bead forming element, form rotating means including an axially movable rotatable spindle having a lug to seat in the recess of said form, and means to propel said form lengthwise of and in contact with said bead forming element including a pin on said spindle to project into said axial hole in the form.

8. In a bead forming machine in which a row of rotatable forms is propelled lengthwise of and in contact with an actuated bead forming member, form rotating means comprising a pinion, a spindle connected thereto for rotary movement therewith and for limited axial movement relative thereto, means on the spindle to engage the end surface of and rotate a form, spring means surrounding said spindle to urge the latter toward a form, and a pin on the spindle to project into an axial hole in and propel a form.

9. Apparatus for rolling beads on thin dipped rubber articles including a support, a conveyor supported by and movable relative to said support, an elongated bead forming member on said support and inclined at an angle to said conveyor, a rotatable form having an exposed end and an axial hole extending thereinto from said end, means to rotate said form while engaging said member, said form rotating means including a rotatable pinion, a spindle connected thereto for rotation therewith and having rotatable driving engagement with the exposed end of the form, means to move said form lengthwise of and in engagement with said member including a pin projecting from said spindle into said axial hole, and means operatively-connecting the conveyor with said pin.

WILLIAM A. BRUBAKER. 

